State "War" Funding Goes to Mexico, North Korea

You'd think that when the State Department asks

for another $3+ billion in emergency, "supplemental" money for the "Global War on Terror," the cash would go almost entirely to operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Especially when the President sends a cover letter that reads...

Dear Madam Speaker:*

I ask the Congress to consider the enclosed amendments to my
FY 2008 Budget request that will provide additional resources for ongoing military and intelligence operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom,
Operation Enduring Freedom, and selected other international activities...*

These amendments include funding for urgent and unanticipated international programs, including support for extraordinary security and operating costs associated with U.S. diplomatic activity in Iraq and Afghanistan, for assistance to internally displaced persons in Iraq and Iraqi refugees, and to help create political and economic stability in Afghanistan.

But State's plea for wartime dollars includes $550 million for "narcotics control" in Mexico and Central America -- which are a long way from the Persian Gulf, last time I checked.

The Mexico and Central America Security
Cooperation Initiative has important implications for the Global War on
Terror. Weak border security, weak rule of law and strong transnational crime networks all heighten the risk of terrorism. The
Initiative will facilitate the secure flow of goods, services, and people across the one of the world’s most active borders. More broadly, it will remove one of the major barriers to the region’s economic and political development...

Mexico- U.S. Government assistance to Mexico ($387 million) would: a) provide technologies such as gamma-ray scanners, density measurement devices, and commodity testing kits to prevent the cross-border movement of illicit drugs, firearms, financial assets, trafficked people; b) supply additional transport and light aircraft to rapidly reinforce law enforcement operations nation-wide; and c) administer programs to support an improved judicial and prison system to convict, sentence, and keep in secure facilities those who commit crimes.

Central America-
U.S. Government assistance to Central America ($39.9 million) would support a regional approach to detecting and deterring trafficking and smuggling narcotics, arms and persons and improve border security.
Funds would support stockpile management and destruction of small arms and light weapons. To address the proliferation of gangs and gang violence all five elements of the U.S. Strategy on Criminal Gangs would be implemented. This includes improved law enforcement and an improved process for repatriation. The package of assistance would also improve policing and promote preventative and community policing through technical assistance, training, and non-lethal equipment. In addition, supplemental funds would be used to expand technical assistance to
Central America on prison management.

There's also $106 million for buying fuel for North Korea. $723 million for peacekeeping in Darfur. And $375 to prop up the Palestinian
Authority.

Worthy causes? Sure. Directly related to the war on terror? Hmmmm.....